[Tolerance limit of human upper extremity with arm restraint plate on eject seat to simulated aerodynamic loads]

To obtain tolerance limit of human upper extremity with arm restraint plate on eject seat to windblast, impact was applied to the upper extremity of 13 human corpses and 7 living monkeys by a spring driven impact device. Relationship between impact load, moment of elbow joints and arm injuries with arm restraint plate were studied. Relationship between biomechanical characteristic curve of human elbow joint and clinical injuries was obtained. The results indicated that tolerance limit of human upper arm is higher than forearm. Safety limit of human anterior arm to simulated aerodynamic load is 1.26 kN.

The assessment of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining in human benign and malignant epithelial lesions of the parotid gland

Immunoreactivity of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was assessed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from human normal parotid gland (N; n = 12), chronic sialadenitis (CS; n = 8), Warthin's tumour (W; n = 10), benign pleomorphic adenoma (BPA; n = 11), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC; n = 14), carcinoma in pleomorphic adenoma (CPA; n = 10) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC; n = 12) of the parotid gland, using the monoclonal antibody PC 10. The morphometric parameters measured comprised PCNA labelling induces (PI = the numerical percentage of PCNA positive nuclei) and volume densities of PCNA positive nuclei(VV, PEP = the relative volume of positive nuclei per unit volume of reference epithelium). All parameters were expressed in relation to total positive, as well as to strongly- and weakly-positive nuclei. In general, the values of PCNA parameters increased progressively in benign lesions in comparison with the N group, and in malignant neoplasms in comparison with non-neoplastic groups and benign lesions. The strongly-positive parameters showed more statistically significant differences than weakly-positive ones, suggesting that weakly-stained nuclei may include some non-cycling cells and, therefore, that weakly-positive parameters may not be reliable proliferation markers. Values for all parameters in CPA were significantly higher than those in BPA, suggesting that these parameters may be used as diagnostic discriminators. Spearman rank correlation analysis showed a highly positive correlation between the morphometric parameters and the severity of the lesions. Furthermore, the mean values of PISP were significantly higher in patients who died of the malignant tumours than in those patients who survived. Our results indicate that PCNA indices might be useful markers for discriminating between benign (BPA) and malignant tumours of the parotid gland and that the parameter PISP may have prognostic applications.

[Dose study of methyl carboprost suppository for planned delivery at term]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate clinical reasonable dose of methyl carboprost suppository (15-methyl-PGF2 alpha) for induction of labor.

METHOD

A total of 150 gravidas with singleton pregnancy and cephalic presentation, accepted for induction of labor, were randomly allocated into 3 groups: group 1, 15-methyl-PGF2 alpha 0.100 mg (n = 50); group 2, 0.125 mg (n = 50); and group 3, 0.200 mg (n = 50).

RESULTS

The success rates of induction were 90.0%, 94.0% and 100.0% for group 1, 2 and 3, respectively. As cervical Bishop score < or = 5, the cases needed oxytocin intravenous infusion during the active phase were 48.5%, 40.7% and 5.0%, respectively; cervical Bishop score > or = 6, the cases were 11.8%, 13.0% and 0.0%, respectively. There were 3 cases of precipitate delivery in group 2 and 3. No uterine hyperstimulation occurred in group 1 and 2, while 3 cases of uterine hyperstimulation in group 3.

CONCLUSION

(1) A single maximum dose of 15 methyl-PGF2 alpha for term labor induction should be < 0.200 mg. (2) The different dose was chosen according to cervical Bishop score, i.e. 0.200 mg or 0.125 mg for Bishop score < or = 5, and 0.100 mg for Bishop score > or = 6.

Extracellular ATP induces formation of AP-1 complexes in astrocytes via P2 purinoceptors

The transcription activator protein-1 (AP-1) complex is a heterodimer consisting of Fos and Jun family members. We found that extracellular ATP stimulated AP-1 DNA binding activity in cerebral cortical astrocyte cultures. This activity was maximal at 1 h and persisted for at least 3 h post-treatment. Shift-Western blotting indicated the presence of c-Fos in the AP-1 complexes. Stimulation of AP-1 binding by ATP was due to activation of P2 rather than P1 purinoceptors. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Ro 31-8220 markedly reduced P2 purinoceptor-mediated AP-1 induction. The induction of AP-1 complexes by ATP may contribute to changes in gene expression which underlie the trophic effects of extracellular ATP on astrocytes.

Alternative pathways for the selection of antigen-specific peripheral T cells

In the thymus, maturing lymphocytes receive activation signals mediated by the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) that either promote clonal survival (positive selection) or induce apoptosis (negative selection). This balance between life and death is mirrored by the sensitivity of cortical thymocytes to apoptotic death induced by antibodies against the CD3 component of the TCR signal-transduction complex, bacterial superantigens that bind to the TCR beta-chain, and corticosteroids. In contrast, mature peripheral T cells are positively activated by anti-CD3 antibody or superantigens and are resistant to steroid-induced death. Here we show that in splenic germinal centres, T cells regain thymocyte-like sensitivity to TCR- and steroid-induced apoptosis and undergo antigen-driven positive and negative selection. T-cell responses elsewhere in the spleen are unaccompanied by programmed cell death. Our observations define a new differentiation pathway for peripheral T cells and suggest that germinal centres induce a lymphocyte phenotype necessary for the maintenance of self-tolerance.

New eudesmane sesquiterpene and other constituents from Artemisia mongolica

The aerial parts of Artemisia mongolica afforded the eudesmane derivative ludovicin B, two coumarins, umbelliferone and esculetin, two methoxylated flavones, eupatilin and pectolinarigenin, as well as a new eudesmane sesquiterpene, 6alpha,8alpha-dihydroxyisocostic acid methyl ester. Structures were elucidated by highfield 1D and 2D NMR techniques.

Transcriptional activation of plant defense genes

Significant progress has been made in the characterization of disease resistance genes and receptors for pathogen avirulence signals and non-specific elicitors. Some components involved in elicitor-induced signal transduction have been identified. Phosphorylation of transcription factors has been found to be one of the mechanisms regulating their cellular localization, DNA binding and transcription activities for defense gene activation.

P2 purinoceptors in rat cortical astrocytes: expression, calcium-imaging and signalling studies

Extracellular ATP is known to activate intracellular enzymes in astrocytes via P2 purinoceptors that appear to play important physiological and pathological roles in these supporting brain cells. In this study, major P2 purinoceptor subtypes on astrocytes of neonatal rat cerebral cortices were identified in receptor expression experiments, when astrocytic messenger RNA was injected into Xenopus oocytes and recombinant P2 purinoceptors were characterized pharmacologically. In messenger RNA-injected oocytes, ATP evoked inward chloride currents (ICl,Ca) typical of stimulating metabotropic receptors that release intracellular Ca2+. Half-maximal activation with ATP occurred at 40 nM: the Hill coefficient was 0.5, which indicated that ATP stimulated two subtypes of P2 purinoceptor. UTP and 2-methylthioATP were the most active (and equipotent) of a series of nucleotides activating recombinant P2 purinoceptors. These results indicated that the two P2 purinoceptors expressed by astrocytic messenger RNA were of P2U and P2Y subtypes. Responses to ATP were antagonized by the P2 purinoceptor antagonist (suramin) but not by the P1 purinoceptor blocker (sulphophenyltheophylline). Findings in expression studies were confirmed in assays of intracellular signalling systems using primary cultures of rat astrocytes. UTP and 2-methylthioATP stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase to the same extent as ATP, although UTP was less potent than either ATP or 2-methylthioATP. Both UTP and ATP increased intracellular Ca2+ (as measured by fura-2/AM luminescence) which, in cross-desensitization experiments, indicated the involvement of two subtypes of P2 purinoceptors. In conclusion, rat cortical astrocytes express two major subtypes (P2U and P2Y) of metabotropic ATP receptor which, when activated, raise intracellular Ca2+ and also stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Enalaprilat, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, enhances functional preservation during long-term cardiac preservation. Possible involvement of bradykinin and PKC

We investigated the effect of enalaprilat (ET) on long-term preservation of cardiac explant. Isolated rat hearts (n = 7/group) were pretreated with 0 to 40 nM ET and stored at 0 degree C for 16 h. Functional viability was assessed after 30-min working reperfusion without ET. Prestorage control function (mean +/- S.E.M.) (n = 7) included heart rate (HR), 291 +/- 12 bpm; aortic flow (AF). 49.8 +/- 1.9 ml/min; coronary flow (CF), 25.2 +/- 1.3 ml/min; cardiac output (CO), 75.0 +/- 1.2 ml/min; and work, 89.4 +/- 4.7 g-m/min. Post-storage function of untreated hearts was: AF, 61%; CF, 43%; CO, 55%; work, 48% of control. ET (20 nM) enhanced AF recovery to 85%; CF, 58%; CO, 76%; work, 73% of control (P < 0.05 v untreated). Hoe 140 (D-Arg-[Hyp2, Thi5,8, D-Phe7]BK) (1 nM) a bradykinin receptor antagonist, inhibited ET effect; function returned to the untreated level. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors staurosporine (15 nM) and bisindolylmaleimide I (0.5 microM) also blocked ET effect. After 4 h of cold storage, membrane PKC activity changed little from the prestorage level in the untreated hearts, but was elevated significantly from 52.8 +/- 5.2 pmol/min/mg to 74.7 +/- 8.2 by 20 nM ET (P < 0.05 v untreated). Cytosol PKC did not change during 4 h cold storage with or without ET. Neither end-storage nor end-reperfusion myocardial ATP content was affected by 20 nM ET treatment. In conclusion, ET improves cardiac preservation possibly via bradykinin receptor and PKC without affecting ATP metabolism.

Definition of the lectin-like properties of the molecular chaperone, calreticulin, and demonstration of its copurification with endomannosidase from rat liver Golgi

Calreticulin was identified by immunochemical and sequence analyses to be the higher molecular mass (60 kDa) component of the polypeptide doublet previously observed in a rat liver Golgi endomannosidase preparation obtained by chromatography on a Glc alpha 1 --> 3Man-containing matrix. The affinity for this saccharide ligand, which paralleled that of endomannosidase and was also observed with purified rat liver calreticulin, suggested that this chaperone has lectin-like binding properties. Studies carried out with immobilized calreticulin and a series of radiolabeled oligosaccharides derived from N-linked carbohydrate units revealed that interactions with this protein were limited to monoglucosylated polymannose components. Although optimal binding occurred with Glc1Man9GlcNAc, substantial interaction with calreticulin was retained after sequential trimming of the polymannose portion down to the Glc1Man5GlcNAc stage. The alpha 1 --> 6-mannose branch point of the oligosaccharide core, however, appeared to be essential for recognition as Glc1Man4GlcNAc did not interact with the calreticulin. The carbohydrate-peptide linkage region had no discernible influence on binding as monoglucosylated oligosaccharides in N-glycosidic linkage interacted with the chaperone to the same extent as in their unconjugated state. The immobilized calreticulin proved to be a highly effective tool for sorting out monoglucosylated polymannose oligosaccharides or glycopeptides from complex mixtures of processing intermediates. The copurification of calreticulin and endomannosidase from a Golgi fraction in comparable amounts and the strikingly similar saccharide specificities of the chaperone and the processing enzyme have suggested a tentative model for the dissociation through glucose removal of calreticulin-glycoprotein complexes in a post-endoplasmic reticulum locale; in this scheme, deglucosylation would be brought about by the action of endomannosidase rather than glucosidase II.

Time-dependent increase in protein phosphorylation following one-trial enhancement in Hermissenda

One-trial conditioning of the nudibranch mollusk Hermissenda produces short- and long-term changes in excitability (enhancement) of identified sensory neurons. To investigate the biochemical mechanisms underlying this example of plasticity, we have examined changes in protein phosphorylation at different times following the in vitro conditioning trial. Changes in the incorporation of 32 PO4 into proteins were determined using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, autoradiography, and densitometry. Conditioning resulted in increases in levels of several phosphoproteins, five of which, ranging in apparent molecular mass from 22 to 55 kDa, were chosen for analysis. The increased phosphorylation of the 46- and 55-kDa phosphoproteins, detected 2 h postconditioning was significantly greater than the level of phosphorylation detected in an unpaired control group, indicating that long-term enhancement is pairing specific. Statistically significant increases in phosphorylation as compared with the control group that received only light were detected immediately after conditioning (5 min) for the 55-, 46-, and 22-kDa phosphoproteins, at 1 h for the 55- and 46-kDa phosphoproteins, and at 2 h for the 55-, 46-, and 22-kDa phosphoproteins. The 46- and 55-kDa phosphoproteins are putative structural proteins, and the 22-kDa phosphoprotein is proposed to be a protein kinase C substrate previously identified in Hermissenda following multitrial classical conditioning. Time-dependent increases in protein phosphorylation may contribute to the induction and maintenance of different memory stages expressed in sensory neurons after one-trial conditioning.

Detection of Salmonella typhi by polymerase chain reaction

A rapid and sensitive method for detection of Salmonella typhi would help in preventing the spread of outbreaks and in clinical diagnosis. In order to develop unique PCR primers to detect Salm. typhi, ribosomal RNA genes from Salm. typhi (Rawlings) were cloned in pUC18. The resulting clone was confirmed by sequencing. The cloned DNA fragment contained the 5S, part of the 23S rRNA genes and the 5S-23S spacer region (EMBL/GenBank accession No. U04734). It was expected that the 5S-23S spacer region is divergent unlike the highly conserved 23S + 5S genes. This was confirmed by comparison with the rRNA gene sequences in the EMBL/GenBank database. A pair of PCR primers specific for Salm. typhi was obtained, based on this spacer region sequence. The specificity of this pair of primers was tested with 54 Salm. typhi strains (of 27 different phage types). All these Salm. typhi strains showed the positive 300 bp PCR product with this pair of primers. Six other Salmonella species as well as six other non-Salmonella bacteria were tested and none showed the 300 bp PCR product. The sensitivity of the detection level was 0.1 pg of pure Salm. typhi genomic DNA, or approximately 40 Salm. typhi cells in a spiked food sample. This pair of primers therefore has the potential for development into a diagnostic tool for the rapid diagnosis of typhoid fever.

Twenty-four-hour intermittent perfusion storage of the isolated rat heart. II. Perfusion pressure and functional preservation

This study investigated the effect of intermittent perfusion (IP) pressures on functional preservation of the cold-stored isolated rat heart. The heart was flushed with cardioplegic solution #11 with ethylene diamine-tetraacetic acid and 2, 3-butanedione monoxime (CP-11EB), and stored at 0 degree C for 24 hr. During storage, the heart was intermittently perfused for 3 min at 10 and 17 hr of storage with 25 degrees C oxygenated CP-11EB. The IP pressures studied were: 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 100 mm Hg. Poststorage recovery of function was assessed with 30 min of working reperfusion. Control function of the unstored heart was: aortic flow (AF), 51.3 +/- 2.2 ml/min; coronary flow (CF), 25.8 +/- 1.2 ml/min; cardiac output (CO), 77.7 +/- 2.3 ml/min; work, 92.0 +/- 4.9 g-m/min; and coronary vascular resistance (CVR), 2.64 +/- .21 mm Hg-min/ml. Functional return in the 30,40,50,60,70, and 80 mm Hg groups was similar. Recovery in a representative group (60 mm Hg) was: AF, 52 +/- 3%; CF, 41 +/- 2%; CO, 48 +/- 3%; work, 42 +/- 3%; and CVR, 225 +/- 10% of the control. The total IP volume in this group was 71.0 +/- 1.7 ml; total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release during IP was 8.62 +/- .37 units/g dry; and end-storage tissue lactate was 52.6 +/- 6.4 mumole/g dry. As IP pressure decreased to 20 mm Hg, cardiac functional recovery declined significantly to AF, 35 +/- 6%; CF, 33 +/- 2%; CO, 34 +/- 5%; and work, 27 = 4% of control (P < .05 vs. 60 mm Hg group). The total IP volume decreased to 10.1 +/- .9 ml, tissue lactate content rose to 87.1 +/- 10.9 (P < .05 vs. 60 mm Hg group), but LDH release fell to 5.59 +/- .46 (P < .05 vs. 60 and 100 mm Hg groups). When IP pressure increased to 100 mm Hg, cardiac function was depressed with AF recovered to 25 +/- 3%; CF, 30 +/- 3%; CO, 26 +/- 3%; work, 21 +/- 3%; and CVR, 294 +/- 26% of control (P < .05 vs. 60 mm Hg group). IP volume increased to 100.7 +/- 2.4 ml; total LDH release increased to 19.1 +/- 1.2 (P < .05 vs. 60 mm Hg group), although tissue lactate (58.9 +/- 3.9) was not different from the 60 mm Hg group. End-storage tissue wet/dry weight ratio and myocardial adenosine triphosphate content were not different among the 20, 60, and 100 mm Hg groups. In conclusion, IP has a broad pressure optimum ranging from 30 to 80 mm Hg for 24-hr hypothermic preservation of the rat cardiac explant.

Evidence that SP1 modulates transcriptional activity of the multidrug resistance-associated protein gene

In previous studies, we have cloned and sequenced a 5'-end region of the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) gene that contains promoter activity as assessed through transient transfections of constructs contained in a pCAT basic reporter plasmid. In the present study, using a series of deletion mutants, evidence was obtained that the SP1 binding sites contained in the promoter are essential for optimal MRP transcriptional activity. These results were supported by the finding that introduction of site-specific mutations into the wild-type SP1 sequence produced a major reduction in CAT activity. DNase I protection assays also demonstrated that SP1 sites are protected from hydrolysis with proteins from nuclei of a variety of cell lines. Gel mobility-shift assays with proteins extracted from CHO, HeLa, HL60, or HL60/ADR demonstrated the presence of a protein that bound to the wild-type SP1 sequence but not to an SP1 sequence containing site-specific mutations. The mobility shift with nuclear extracts was closely similar to that occurring after incubating purified SP1 protein with wild-type SP1 sequence. DNA supershift experiments with antibody to SP1 strongly suggest that the complexes formed with nuclear extracts contain the SP1 protein.

Regulation, expression and function of a new basic chitinase gene in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A new basic chitinase gene, designated RC24, was isolated from a rice genomic library. The predicted RC24 protein contains 322 amino acid residues and exhibits 68% to 95% amino acid identity with known class I rice chitinases. RC24 protein expressed in Escherichia coli exhibited chitinase activity and strongly inhibited bacterial growth. Two transcription start sites of the RC24 gene were mapped by primer extension analysis of both rice native RNA and in vitro transcribed RNA using a RC24 promoter/GUS (beta-glucuronidase) gene fusion as a template. The 5'-flanking region of RC24 contained several putative stress-responsive cis-acting elements. A basal level of RC24 transcripts was detected in rice root and stem tissues, but not in leaf tissues. RC24 transcripts rapidly accumulated within 1 h after fungal elicitor treatment of suspension-cultured cells, and the levels continued to increase for at least 9 h. RC24 transcript accumulation was also observed in intact leaf tissues upon wounding, Transgenic rice plants containing the RC24/GUS gene fusion further confirmed that the RC24 gene showed a tissue-specific expression pattern and that transcription of the RC24 propmoter was sensitively and rapidly activated by wounding.

Determination of transcription initiation sites and promoter activity of the human 5-HT2A receptor gene

The regulation of 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) expression has been implicated in a variety of pathological processes. Previous data addressing the regulation of this receptor are extremely complicated and controversial. In order to understand the mechanisms of regulation of this receptor, we have identified the promoter region of the human 5-HT2AR gene. Anchored PCR has mapped a cluster of transcription initiation sites at nucleotides -1157, -1137, -1127 (numbered sequentially as sites 1, 2 and 3). An additional initiation site (site 4) was detected at -496, 631 bp downstream of site 3. Promoter activity was defined by transfection studies. Several 5' flanking fragments linked to the human growth hormone reporter gene were transfected into two human cell lines, SHSY-5Y (neuroblastoma) and HeLa (cervix carcinoma) which express 5-HT2AR. A 0.74 kb HaeIII/PvuII fragment, which encompasses the initiation sites 1 to 3 and 5' of the downstream initiation site 4, exhibited significant promoter activity in both cell lines. Inclusion of additional sequences upstream (the 1.6 kb PvuII/PvuII fragment) had little effect on the promoter activity, but the extension of the 0.74 kb fragment downstream to include a 0.45 kb PvuII/SmaI fragment drastically decreased the promoter activity. These results suggest that the promoter activity for human 5-HT2AR gene resides in the 0.74 kb HaeIII/PvuII fragment and the 0.45 kb PvuII/SmaI fragment may contain a silencer for the gene expression.

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and X-linked congenital thrombocytopenia are caused by mutations of the same gene

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked recessive disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia, small platelets, eczema, recurrent infections, and immunodeficiency. Besides the classic WAS phenotype, there is a group of patients with congenital X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT) who have small platelets but only transient eczema, if any, and minimal immune deficiency. Because the gene responsible for WAS has been sequenced, it was possible to correlate the WAS phenotypes with WAS gene mutations. Using a fingerprinting screening technique, we determined the approximate location of the mutation in 13 unrelated WAS patients with mild to severe clinical symptoms. Direct sequence analysis of cDNA and genomic DNA obtained from patient-derived cell lines showed 12 unique mutations distributed throughout the WAS gene, including insertions, deletions, and point mutations resulting in amino acid substitutions, termination, exon skipping, or splicing defects. Of 4 unrelated patients with the XLT phenotype, 3 had missense mutations affecting exon 2 and 1 had a splice-site mutation affecting exon 9. Patients with classic WAS had more complex mutations, resulting in termination codons, frameshift, and early termination. These findings provide direct evidence that XLT and WAS are caused by mutations of the same gene and suggest that severe clinical phenotypes are associated with complex mutations.

Cloning and properties of a rice gene encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) genomic sequences were isolated from a rice (Oryza sativa L.) genomic library using a PCR-amplified rice PAL DNA fragment as a probe. There is a small family of PAL genes in the rice genome. The nucleotide sequence of one PAL gene, ZB8, was determined. The ZB8 gene is 4660 bp in length and consists of two exons and one intron. It encodes a polypeptide of 710 amino acids. The transcription start site was 137 bp upstream from the translation initiation site. Rice PAL transcripts accumulated to a high level in stems, with lower levels in roots and leaves. Wounding of leaf tissues induced ZB8 PAL transcripts to a high level. In rice suspension-cultured cells treated with fungal cell wall elicitors, the ZB8 PAL transcript increased within 30 min and reached maximum levels in 1-2 h. The transcription of the ZB8 gene was investigated by fusing its promoter to the reporter gene beta-glucuronidase (GUS) and transforming the construct into rice and tobacco plants, as well as rice suspension-cultured cells. High levels of GUS activity were observed in stems, moderate levels in roots and low levels in leaves of transgenic rice and tobacco plants. Histochemical analysis indicated that in transgenic rice the promoter was active in root apical tips, lateral root initiation sites, and vascular and epidermal tissues of stems and roots. In rice flowers, high GUS activity was observed in floral shoots, receptacles, anthers and filaments, occasionally GUS activity was also detected in lemma and awn tissues. In tobacco flowers, high GUS activity was detected in the pink part of petals. Consistent with the activity of endogenous PAL transcripts, wounding of rice and tobacco leaf tissues induced GUS activity from low basal levels. Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infection of tobacco leaves induced GUS activity to a high level. Fungal cell wall elicitors strongly induced GUS activity and GUS transcripts to high levels in transgenic rice suspension-cultured cells. We demonstrated that the promoter of ZB8 gene is both developmentally regulated and stress-inducible.

Sweet and bitter taste: structure and conformations of two aspartame dipeptide analogues

The synthesis and X-ray diffraction analysis of two dipeptide taste ligands have been carried out as part of our study of the molecular basis of taste. The compounds L-aspartyl-D-alpha-methylphenylalanine methyl ester [L-Asp-D-(alpha Me)Phe-OMe] and L-aspartyl-D-alanyl-2,2,5, 5-tetramethylcyclopentanyl ester [L-Asp-D-Ala-OTMCP] elicit bitter and sweet taste, respectively. The C-terminal residues of the two analogues adopt distinctly different conformations in the solid state. The aspartyl moiety assumes the same conformation found in other dipeptide taste ligands with the side-chain carboxylate and the amino groups forming a zwitterionic ring with a conformation defined by psi, chi 1 = 157.7 degrees, -61.5 degrees for L-Asp-D-Ala-OTMCP and 151.0 degrees, -68.8 degrees for L-Asp-D-(alpha Me)Phe-OMe. In the second residue, a left-handed helical conformation is observed for the (alpha Me)Phe residue of L-Asp-D-(alpha Me)Phe-OMe with phi 2 = 49.0 degrees and psi 2 = 47.9 degrees, while the Ala residue of L-Asp-D-Ala-OTMCP adopts a semi-extended conformation characterized by dihedral angles phi 2 = 62.8 degrees and psi 2 = -139.9 degrees. The solid-state structure of the bitter L-Asp-D-(alpha Me)Phe-OMe is extended: while the crystal structure of the sweet L-Asp-D-OTMCP roughly adopts the typical L-shaped structure shown by other sweeteners. The data of L-Asp-D-(alpha Me)Phe-OMe are compared with those of its diastereoisomer L-Asp-L-(alpha Me)Phe-OMe. Conformational analysis of the two taste ligands in solution by NMR and computer simulations agrees well with our model for sweet and bitter tastes.

Analysis of serine/threonine-linked oligosaccharides derived by alkaline-borohydride treatment of mucin glycoproteins electroblotted onto membranes: comparison of the saccharide profiles of the 390 kDa and 350 kDa forms of epitectin

Alkaline borohydride treatment is widely used for the release of carbohydrate moieties from O-glycosylated glycoproteins and mucins. We have adapted this procedure to micro quantities of glycoproteins blotted on membranes. After electrophoresis and transfer to nitrocellulose, nylon or polyvinylidene difluoride membrane, alkaline borohydride treatment was done directly on glycoprotein containing areas of membrane which were cut out with the aid of guide strips stained with Coomassie Blue or lectin-digoxigenin. In combination with standard saccharide fractionation techniques, this procedure can be used to characterize the oligosaccharides of mucins or mucin-type glycoproteins that are separated by gel electrophoresis from crude sources. Using this approach we have characterized the saccharides derived from the two species of epitectin, a malignancy-associated mucin type glycoprotein, isolated from metabolically labelled H.Ep2 cells.